At a Glance
The Bmw Z4 has 10 identified common problems across 3 generations, with the E85 (2002-2008) being the most affected generation and tyres & wheels the most common problem category. Based on 513K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Bmw Z4 common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Bmw Z4 generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Bmw Z4 Generations
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Most Common Bmw Z4 MOT Failures
Every reason Bmw Z4 vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 10.98% |
| 2 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 10.40% |
| 3 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 9.25% |
| 4 | Tyre condition | 7.45% |
| 5 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 5.98% |
| 6 | Number plate lamp not working | 4.16% |
| 7 | Windscreen washer not working | 4.12% |
| 8 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 3.74% |
| 9 | Brake pads or linings worn | 3.43% |
| 10 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 3.39% |
| 11 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 3.27% |
| 12 | Airbag warning light on | 2.76% |
| 13 | Brake performance below minimum | 2.75% |
| 14 | Headlamp fault | 2.36% |
| 15 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 2.21% |
| 16 | Headlamp aim defect | 1.70% |
| 17 | Ball joint dust cover split | 1.66% |
| 18 | Position lamp not working | 1.46% |
| 19 | Stop lamp not working | 1.42% |
| 20 | Brake disc or drum worn | 1.12% |
| 21 | ABS fault | 1.09% |
| 22 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 1.04% |
| 23 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.99% |
| 24 | Indicator fault | 0.89% |
| 25 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.89% |
| 26 | Exhaust system fault | 0.86% |
| 27 | Front lamp not working | 0.83% |
| 28 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 0.79% |
| 29 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.75% |
| 30 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.69% |
| 31 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.61% |
| 32 | Horn not working | 0.59% |
| 33 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.39% |
| 34 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.38% |
| 35 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.37% |
| 36 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.36% |
| 37 | Rear lamp not working | 0.34% |
| 38 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.33% |
| 39 | Parking brake condition | 0.23% |
| 40 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.22% |
| 41 | Brake caliper fault | 0.17% |
| 42 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.17% |
| 43 | Track rod end worn | 0.17% |
| 44 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.16% |
| 45 | Brake lever fault | 0.14% |
| 46 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.14% |
| 47 | Engine oil leak | 0.14% |
| 48 | Driver airbag fault | 0.13% |
| 49 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.13% |
| 50 | Fog lamp not working | 0.12% |
| 51 | Seat belt condition | 0.12% |
| 52 | Steering rack fault | 0.11% |
| 53 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.10% |
| 54 | Driver door fault | 0.10% |
| 55 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.08% |
| 56 | Electrical switch fault | 0.08% |
| 57 | Front passenger door fault | 0.08% |
| 58 | Electric power steering fault | 0.07% |
| 59 | Electronic parking brake fault | 0.07% |
| 60 | Front suspension fault | 0.07% |
| 61 | Headlamp washer not working | 0.07% |
| 62 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.07% |
| 63 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.06% |
| 64 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.06% |
| 65 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.06% |
| 66 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.05% |
| 67 | Rear suspension fault | 0.05% |
| 68 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.05% |
| 69 | Brake pedal fault | 0.05% |
| 70 | Driveshaft fault | 0.05% |
| 71 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.05% |
| 72 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.04% |
| 73 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.04% |
| 74 | Brake fluid leak | 0.04% |
| 75 | Electronic braking system fault | 0.04% |
| 76 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.03% |
| 77 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.03% |
| 78 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.03% |
| 79 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.02% |
| 80 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.02% |
| 81 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | 0.02% |
| 82 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.02% |
| 83 | Steering lock fault | 0.02% |
| 84 | Suspension unit fault | 0.02% |
| 85 | Steering operation fault | 0.02% |
| 86 | Indicator warning light fault | 0.02% |
| 87 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | 0.02% |
| 88 | Driver seat fault | 0.02% |
| 89 | Drag link end worn | 0.02% |
| 90 | Steering arm worn | 0.01% |
| 91 | Body security fault | 0.01% |
| 92 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | 0.01% |
| 93 | Steering free play excessive | 0.01% |
| 94 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | 0.01% |
| 95 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.01% |
| 96 | Brake servo fault | 0.01% |
| 97 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 98 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 99 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.01% |
| 100 | Exhaust leak | 0.01% |
| 101 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 102 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 103 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 104 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 105 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 106 | Propshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 107 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 108 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 109 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 110 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 111 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | <0.01% |
| 112 | Steering column fault | <0.01% |
| 113 | Engine mounting worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 114 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 115 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 116 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 117 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 118 | Chassis condition | <0.01% |
| 119 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 120 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 121 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 122 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 123 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | <0.01% |
| 124 | Passenger seat fault | <0.01% |
| 125 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | <0.01% |
| 127 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 129 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 130 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 132 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 134 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 135 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 136 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 137 | Handbrake cable fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 139 | Air suspension levelling valve fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Power steering ram fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 143 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | <0.01% |
| 144 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 145 | Power steering pump fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 148 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 149 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 150 | Vehicle structure corrosion | <0.01% |
| 151 | King pin or swivel pin worn | <0.01% |
| 152 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 153 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 155 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 156 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 157 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 158 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 161 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 162 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
Showing all 162 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Bmw Z4 MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Bmw Z4, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Bmw Z4 problems?
Based on analysis of 513K Bmw Z4 MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 10 identified common problems across 3 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Tyre condition". Tyres & Wheels is the most common problem category.
Which Bmw Z4 generation has the most problems?
The Bmw Z4 E85 (2002-2008) (2002–2008) has the highest number of identified common problems (7). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Bmw Z4?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Bmw Z4 owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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